Police dogs could be forced to wear bootees when they search Muslim homes to avoid causing offence.The Association of Chief Police Officers came up with the suggestion to increase respect for cultural sensitivities as it draws up new guidelines on the use of police dogs.Dogs are considered "unclean" in Islamic culture and many Muslims refuse to have direct contact with the animals.It is understood the new guidance could include a recommendation that sniffer dogs should wear rubber-soled bootees when entering mosques and Muslim homes.A spokesman for the association said: "Where possible the police will take cultural sensitivities into account, providing this does not interfere with effective operational policing."Leading British imam Ibrahim Mogra said making sniffer dogs cover their feet would not be necessary.He said: "In Islamic law the dog is not regarded as impure, only its saliva is. Most Islamic schools of law agree on that."If security measures require to send a dog into a house, then it has to be done."
ITN | July 6, 2008
